Formentera honours top athletes and sport groups in 2018

Saturday, 02 February 2019 15:19

This evening came with the celebration of Formentera's 2018 Gala de l'Esport (“Sport Gala”), an event where the deeds of individuals, associations, sport clubs and private entities are recognised and honoured for their devotion to sport.

-Award for trajectory in sport: Juan Zapateria “Zapa”. This distinction answered to one individual's efforts over an entire lifetime, competing and practising sport in an array of fields. For promoting sport on the island; the years of support he has altruistically given to the world of sport. From 1983 to 1987 Zapa served as the local minister of culture and sport. For a career of tireless efforts as athlete, leader and meet organiser. For promoting values like hard work, commitment, participation and respect for others.

-Best athlete of the 2018 season: Andrea Romero. The athlete was the 1,500m indoor track national champion. First national ranking for club cross-country. Romero one 41st in Europe's cross-country championship and the top ranking in the Balearics for 3,000 metres.

Awards regulations allow “proposal to the jury of certain special distinctions for people whose particular trajectory makes them deserving of honour”. This year, the jury found clear reason to award this special distinction to one local athlete with an exceptionally long career in sailing, still active in competitions and the 2018 winner of World Raceboard Championship, Alex Buchau.

The panel of jurors, comprised spokespeople from a range of sports entities and political parties represented on the Council, was presided over by the CiF sport councillor. Administration chair Jaume Ferrer, honorary panel chair, was responsible for picking winners. The award ceremony took place in the evening of Friday February 1.

Formentera holds drawing for participants in 11th half-marathon and 8K run

Wednesday, 19 December 2018 17:00

The Formentera Council department of sport reports that the drawing overseen by local notary public Javier González Granado to determine spots in the island's XI Mitja Marató (“11th Half-marathon”) and 8K run took place on Wednesday.

Sport councillor Jordi Vidal described the raffle format as “the fairest way to make sure everyone who wants to run can do it”. Vidal said the 2019 runs, both scheduled for Saturday May 11, have already received participation requests from 4,693 runners.

Three-thousand spotsOfficials drew 2,000 spots for the Half-marathon and half as many for the 8K run. Of the 4,693 obtained, 3,033 were for the Half-marathon and the other 1,660 for the 8K circuit. A computer programme generated the first number in the series used to calculate the participants in each event.

The drawing for Half-marathon runners started at 1,506, meaning any runners with numbers from 1,506 to 3,033 and 1 to 472 were awarded spots. The starting point for the drawing for the 8K run was 146, so winning participants were those with numbers between 146 and 1,145 inclusive.

Individuals whose numbers are among those selected have from December 21 to January 10 to confirm participation. If spots remain at this phase, a new series of numbers will be drawn picking up from where both drawings left off. The second round of drawings and subsequent confirmation will take place January 14 to 21, with additional drawings to follow as necessary. Updated dates will be posted to the CiF website and social media.

Runners exempt from drawingAny runner who has competed in at least five editions of either run will receive what is termed a “direct spot” and be exempt from the drawing process. These individuals will be sent email instructions during pre-registration about accessing the platform for signups.

Formentera residents are exempt from the drawings as well. Islanders should complete their requests at the CiF sports department, or àrea d'Esports, where they will be given an access code for the registration page.

Fitness centre closes during Christmas holiday

Wednesday, 19 December 2018 10:29

The Formentera Council department of sport announces that Poliesportiu Antoni Blanc and the swimming pool will close from Friday December 21 to Sunday January 6. The closure will not only give crews the chance to conduct maintenance and other operations that cannot be done when the centre is in use, but it will be used as time-off by staff.

Activities will pick up at the two facilities on Monday January 7. Timetables and details about classes being offered can be found here.

Formentera hosts 40th John Tunks memorial mini-marathon

Wednesday, 05 December 2018 15:35

The department of the Formentera Council, in partnership with Grup Esportiu Espalmador, announces that the 40th John Tunks Memorial Mini Marató will take place Thursday December 6.

Runners set out at 10.30am from Sant Francesc's plaça de la Constitució in one of two modalities—athletics and skating. The race is open to everyone, though age limits are in place across the distinct categories.

Road closures will be necessary from 10.20am to 12.30pm, with normal traffic flow resuming once the race is complete.

Runners and skaters can catch free buses from the port in la Savina to start points in Sant Francesc and Sant Ferran, with return service available as well. Participants from Eivissa who show their signup form at the corresponding Baleària ticket counter are eligible for discounted ferry fare.

Poliesportiu hosts 'family fitness day'

Friday, 23 November 2018 11:05

As part of local observance of Universal Children's Day, the sports department of the Formentera Council announces on that Saturday November 24 the Antoni Blanc sports centre and swimming pool is hosting the Jornada Esportiva Familiar, a special day of activities for the whole family.

“It's a day to get the island's youngest excited about active living”, said CiF sports secretary Jordi Vidal. “We want islanders to see that sport can be a family activity,” he said, “and young islanders to see their parents as role models for just that”.

Swimming pool programmingFrom 10.00am to 1.30pm, there will be a special “aquatic circuit for kids”, plus chances for families to try scuba-diving (participants must sign up beforehand, and be 8 or older and accompanied by an adult).

From 12.30pm to 1.15pm, visitors will get to watch the winter 2018 third-place junior Balearic champions, a duet, perform a demonstration of artistic swimming.

Sports centre programmingFrom 10.00am to 1.30pm, the floor of Antoni Blanc fitness facility will be the site of a “psychomotricity circuit for tots”. Additional sports games and a round of dodgeball are on the programme as well.

Artistic swimming demoAt 5.30pm there will be a demonstration by Club Natació Formentera in the Antoni Blanc swimming pool.